Dyan Sheldon is an American novelist, who has written for adults, children and young adults. Originally from Brooklyn, she resides in London and has written a number of young adult novels as well as many picture books in a variety of genres.[1] Her young adult science-fiction novel Perfect was published under the name "D. M. Quintano", as it was a departure from her usual style.
Dyan Sheldon | |
|---|---|
| Born | Brooklyn, New York, United States |
| Pen name | D.M. Quintano |
| Occupation |
|
| Language | English |
| Nationality | American |
| Period | 1982-present |
| Genre | |
| Notable works | Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen |
| Website | |
| dyansheldon | |
Dyan Sheldon's novel Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen,[2] a #1 New York Times bestseller, was made into a movie of the same name by Disney in 2004, starring Lindsay Lohan.[3]
Early life and career
editDyan Sheldon was born in Brooklyn, New York, and moved to Long Island with her parents when she was six years old.[4] Sheldon eventually moved to London and lived in a squat in Paddington. Prior to becoming a full-time writer, Sheldon worked as a blurb writer and then as a commissioning editor in publishing in London.[1] Sheldon is a former fellow of Goldsmiths, University of London from 2018-2021.[5]
Sheldon's first book was published in 1982, an adults fiction novel called Victim of Love.[6] Her first picture book was A Witch Got on at Paddington Station published in 1987 and her first children's novel was Harry and Chicken published in 1990.[6]
The Whales Song
editThe Whales Song is a picture book written by Dyan Sheldon and illustrated by Gary Blythe aimed at children. The story is about a young girl named Lily who, inspired by a story by her grandmother about the mysterious whales in the bay, longs to hear their magical song. The book was first published in 1991 by Hutchinson. A 1991 review by Kirkus Reviews says "in a spare, poetic narrative, Sheldon captures a child's wonder at these magnificent creatures, echoed, in a splendid debut, in Blythe's generously broad oil paintings."[7] Publisher's Weekly reviewed the book in 1991 describes the book as "haunting" and "evocative".[8] The Whales Song won the Kate Greenway Medal for illustration in 1991.[9]
Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen
editConfessions of a Teenage Drama Queen is teenage fiction book written by Dyan Sheldon about Lola who moves from New York to Dellwood Falls and tries to settle into her new high-school including her rivalry with the school's resident drama queen, Carla. The book was first published in 1999 by Candlewick Press. It was adapted into a theatrical film by Disney in 2004, starring Lindsay Lohan. A sequel, My (Not So) Perfect Life was published in 2002.
Personal life
editDyan Sheldon currently lives in London.
Works
editAdult novels
edit- Victim of Love (novel)|Victim of Love (1982)
- Dreams of an Average Man (1985)
- My Life as a Whale (1992)
- On the Road Reluctantly/Dream Catching (1996)
Young adult novels
editConfessions of a Teenage Drama Queen
edit| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen | |
| 2002 | My (Not so) Perfect Life | |
| 2005 | Confessions of a Hollywood Star |
Haunted series
edit| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | You Can Never Go Home Anymore | |
| 1993 | Save the Last Dance for Me |
Planet Jane series
edit| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Planet Jane | |
| 2004 | Planet Jane in Orbit |
- And Baby Makes Two (2000)
- Sophie Pitt-Turnbull Discovers America (2005)
- Perfect (Quintano novel)|Perfect (as D. M. Quintano) (2005)
- I Conquer Britain (2006)
- My Worst Best Friend (2010)
- Away for the weekend (2011)
- Tall, Thin and Blonde (2012)
- More than one way to be a girl (2017)
Children's novels
editHarry series
edit| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Harry and the Chicken | |
| 1991 | Harry the Explorer | |
| 1992 | Harry's Holiday |
Lizzie and Charley series
edit| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Lizzie and Charley Go Shopping | |
| 2001 | Lizzie and Charley Go to the Movies | |
| 2002 | Lizzie and Charley Go Away for the Weekend |
Undercover Angel series
edit| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Undercover Angel | |
| 2000 | Undercover Angel Strikes Again |
- My Brother Is a Visitor from Another Planet (1992)
- Only Binky (1993)
- Bad Place for a Bus Stop (1994)
- The Difficulties of Keeping Time (2008)
Picture books
edit- The Whales' Song (1991)
- Under the Moon (1994) (alternative title, The Garden)
- Unicorn Dreams (1997) (alternative title, Unicorn City)
- The Last Angel (2003)
- Vampire Across the Way (2004)
References
edit- ^ a b "Dyan Sheldon". The Royal Literary Fund. Retrieved 2020-01-05.
- ^ "Walker Books - Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen". www.walker.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-01-05.
- ^ Harvey, Dennis (2004-02-20). "Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen". Variety. Retrieved 2020-01-05.
- ^ "Walker Books - Dyan Sheldon". www.walker.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ Goldsmiths, University of London (2020). "Library Services Annual Report 2019-2020" (PDF). Retrieved 21 November 2024.
- ^ a b "Dyan Sheldon". dyansheldon.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ "The Whales' Song". Kirkus Reviews.
- ^ "The Whales' Song by Dyan Sheldon". www.publishersweekly.com. April 29, 1991. Retrieved 2024-11-22.
- ^ "The Carnegies". Retrieved 2024-11-22.
External links
edit
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